As Ian Kinsler sent that ball deep into the Texas sky last night off of Mark Lowe, I was laughing a little about it. Lowe had some good games for the Rangers, but last night he looked like he was lost and had no self confidence before he took the mound. But I now believe the original shock of the Josh Hamilton as an Angel thing is mostly over (there will still be a collection of Rangers fans that will boo him for ever, but I personally believe it should just be behind us now), and the first head to head between these two teams worked out of the good guys.
The Rangers bull pen is showing that is is good and our starters are doing well with the exception of Matt Harrison, who I still say will be fine. I like what I am seeing from guys like Mitch Moreland, A. J. Pierzynski, Adrian Beltre, Lance Berkman and others and I am not so impresses so far with Leyons Martin. He has been getting more playing time than Craig Gentry and at this point Craig is the better option. I will be interested to see what Ron is going to do with the lineup this week.
The Rangers have the Rays coming in next, a team that they now have a history against thanks to two straight playoff meetings in ’10 and ’11, and it has turned into a good and fun rivalry. Alexi gets the ball tonight, and the Rangers are coming off an emotionally charged weekend while the Rays are coming off a blowout on the bad side. It should be fun. Here is what I want to see this week:
1. Consistency from all of out pitching staff, don’t make the fans worry if the pitching is going to lose it for us in the end.
2. More playing time for Craig Gentry and more production from Martin when he plays. He needs to show it this season.
3. Nick Tepesch be good. Not great, but good. I would like to see him keep us in the game.
Looking forward to some Ranger baseball again tonight from my ever stable perch here on this hospital bed.
Well said Ben! Miss you here in the office…get well SOON brother!
Folks need to lay off Josh…at least a little. He helped bring us to where we are today…a team with three close calls to the WS and tons of records. We didn’t get that with A-Rod…we can BOOO his butt! But Josh is human…he made mistakes. He’s human, he has struggles…his are just made public. He’s human…he likes money and signed for more…just like ANY of us would. Either way, put it behind us…you got your “Booos” out…now, watch some baseball!
I agree, Lowe did a good job while with the Rangers…but last night was funny! He looked about as nervous as a hooker in the middle Sunday School…out of place and awful. At least it helped us some.
Again…get well…get back to work so we can discuss this season!